VIDEO // PM announces urgent measures following tragic case in central Moldova village

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan has announced five urgent measures which the authorities are to implement following the tragic case in Magdacesti village, in order to prevent similar tragedies in the long run. These measures include introducing a border alert for monitored offenders, giving the General Police Inspectorate (IGP) access to the electronic monitoring platform, increasing penalties for violating protection measures, providing additional electronic bracelets and improving the mechanism for informing and supporting victims.

The PM said that the tragedy, in which a woman had been killed by an offender who was under protection and electronic monitoring, proved the need for rapid interventions, in order to strengthen the mechanism for protecting victims of domestic violence.

“The tragic case in Magdacesti has shaken us all. A crime committed by an offender who was subject to a protection order with electronic monitoring is serious and requires urgent action by the state. Nothing will repair this family’s tragedy. However, we will act to reduce the risk of such tragedies happening again,” the prime minister said.

The prime minister emphasized that, since 2021 to the present, more than 7,000 victims of domestic violence had been protected through the electronic monitoring system, while 4,480 offenders had been monitored. At the same time, Vasile Tofan noted that the system must be improved, so that women and girls can receive protection and assistance.

“First of all, I want to send a message to all women who are victims of domestic violence. Please, do not lose faith in the fact that the society and state institutions are standing by you and doing everything possible to help you. Starting from 2021 until now, more than 7,000 victims of domestic violence have been protected through the electronic monitoring system and 4,480 offenders have been monitored. This is the first tragic case to show that the system has a vulnerability, and we will do everything to ensure that it does not happen again. The system must be improved, so that women and girls can receive protection and assistance. We currently have 190 domestic violence offenders under electronic monitoring, and it is our duty to ensure that these offenders, as well as others who are identified, do not become a danger to victims. Nothing will repair this family’s tragedy, but we will act to reduce the risk of such tragedies happening again,” the official said.





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In this case, the Prosecutor’s General’s Office opened a criminal investigation, while the head of the National Probation Inspectorate (IPN) resigned on September 2. At the same time, the prime minister convened a meeting with the responsible institutions, including the Interior Ministry, the Justice Ministry, the Labour and Social Protection Ministry and the National Agency for Preventing and Combating Violence, in order to introduce urgent measures. As a result of the meeting, the prime minister announced five urgent measures that will be implemented to prevent similar cases in the future.

Thus, the authorities will introduce a border alert measure, so that the Border Police will be notified about the offender, while the probation service will know in real time when the offender leaves and re-enters the country.

“After analyzing how an electronically monitored offender could reach the victim and commit the murder, it was found that there is a problem with border crossings, which cannot be restricted in the absence of a conviction. The first change we will make is to introduce a border alert measure, so that the Border Police notify us about the offender, while the probation service knows in real time when the offender leaves the country. We are analyzing more options, including reapplying the electronic bracelet upon re-entry into the country by a probation officer,” the prime minister said.

In addition, the General Police Inspectorate will be granted access to the monitoring platform. Two institutions, the IGP and the IPN, will monitor alerts in parallel, including the potential approach of the offender to the victim.

The authorities will also increase penalties through amendments to the Criminal Code. More specifically, an amendment will be introduced, under which violating a restraining order issued by the police, as well as a protection order issued by a court will be punishable as a criminal offense rather than merely an administrative offense.

“Put simply, if the offender violated the order, as happened in this tragic case, the sanction should be criminal in nature,” Vasile Tofan said.

The prime minister also announced that, on September 8, the Probation Inspectorate would receive 200 new electronic bracelets, while in 2027 the budget would be doubled and an additional 4 million lei would be allocated.

The authorities will also improve the prevention mechanism, by informing the victim and providing the necessary support when the offender’s monitoring signal is lost.

“The fifth measure concerns informing victims and strengthening prevention. At present, the procedure provides for immediate notification, if the bracelet is cut, but not when the signal is lost for other reasons. We will introduce a provision under which the victim will also be informed and provided with the necessary support, including emergency placement in shelters, if the offender’s monitoring signal is lost. These are measures we are already working on, so they can be put into practice as quickly as possible,” the PM also said.

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan emphasized that domestic violence was a serious phenomenon that is still far too common in the country. In the context, he said that all offenders must be held accountable and that no person should feel at risk.

“We must acknowledge that domestic violence is a serious phenomenon that is still far too common in our country. This reality obliges all of us to get involved, to notice when someone needs help and not to remain distant from the problem. There is a need for much more work on the ground and fewer round-table discussions,” the prime minister said.

The official called on mayors, priests, local police officers, teachers and school principals, urging them to “build a protection chain together.”

“If there is a problem in our community, let us build a protection chain together. Let us talk to and help victims, and, where possible, talk to offenders—we must build a society where life and dignity come first,” the PM noted.

At the same time, Vasile Tofan stressed that nothing justifies violence and urged women to seek help, if they do not feel safe.

“Dear women, dear girls, your safety and your lives are priorities. Nothing justifies violence. Regret cannot repair this immense tragedy. But we can and must work tirelessly, in order to build a society in which women who ask for help receive it and protection is guaranteed,” Prime Minister Vasile Tofan emphasized.

The tragedy in Magdacesti occurred on August 31. A 47-year-old man fatally shot his 42-year-old wife and then allegedly committed suicide. The woman was protected by a court order, while the offender was wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet. The device was not found on him at the scene of the tragedy.